Calls for improvements to 'terrible' A38 as woman fights for life after awful crash

Flowers left at the scene of a crash, which claimed the lives of Laura and Alfie Hopes and Tony Woodman, on July 9, 2017. (Image: File image)

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Figures obtained from Devon and Cornwall Police show there were no serious accidents recorded in 2015 and 2016.

Fresh concerns about the safety of the road – one the main routes into Cornwall - were raised following a harrowing crash which claimed three lives on July 9 last year.

Laura Hopes, aged 32, and her six year-old son, Alfie, died in the multi-vehicle pile-up.

Alfie’s four year old brother Tommy sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Tony Woodman, from Plymouth, who was a pedestrian on the road at the time, was also killed in the series of collisions.

The scene of the crash on the A38 at Tideford (Image: Stuart Brampton)

Following the tragedy, Councillor Graham Knowles, chairman of Landrake with St Erney Parish Council, said the road was "past its sell-by date".

He said the parish council would like to see a new road built between Saltash and Trerulefoot.

"It is not adequate for the amount of traffic that is on the road now," he told The Herald.

"What we really need is a bypass. A dual carriageway all the way would be fantastic.

"This road is not suitable to do that so they would have to build a new one."

Time Line

A38 crashes

Landrake, 2012

In 2012 a motorcyclist was injured in a single vehicle collision in Landrake

Landrake, 2012

One person was left injured following a crash involving four cars and a HGV in Landrake in 2012

Carkeel Roundabout, 2012

One person was left injured following a crash involving a taxi and a cyclist at Carkeel Roundabout in 2012

Tideford, 2013

One person was injured in a crash involving two lorries at Tideford in 2013

Trerulefoot, 2013

Two people were injured in a crash involving two cars in 2013.

Police say the crash happened between Saltash and Trerulefoot Roundabout.

Stoketon Cross, 2013

One person was injured following a crash involving four cars and a motorcyclist at Stoketon Cross in 2013

Fatal: Carkeel Roundabout, 2013

Motorcyclist Adam Smart, aged 20, died after he collided with a lorry at Carkeel Roundabout on June 10, 2013.

Saltash, 2013

Five people were injured in a collision involving two cars at Saltash in 2013

Fatal: Latchbrook, 2013

Lee Skeldon was behind the wheel of a BMW 318 when it swerved across the A38 at Whity Cross, near Saltash, and hit a wall at around 11.45pm on November 1, 2013.

The 27-year-old and his front seat passenger Christopher Williams, aged 21, died at the scene from their injuries.

Tideford, 2014

Two people were injured in a two car crash at Tideford in 2014

Trerulefoot, 2014

One person was seriously injured in a crash involving a motorcyclist and a HGV at Trerulefoot Roundabout in 2014

Tideford, 2014

Seven people were injured in a crash involving two cars and a lorry near Trerulefoot Roundabout in 2014

Notter Bridge, 2014

One person was injured in a single vehicle collision at notter Bridge in 2014

Carkeel, 2014

One person was injured following a crash involving a lorry and motor scooter at Carkeel Roundabout in 2014

Fatal: Saltash, 2014

John Bailey, a 67-year-old man from Liskeard, died near Carkeel in Saltash after the Land Rover he was driving smashed into the back of a HGV trailer which was parked in the lay-by of the A38 westbound carriageway.

At the time, Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, vowed to fight for improvements to "this dangerous road".

She added: "I understood the urgent need for improvements to the A30 but now a lot of these have been carried out I am working to ensure that the focus switches to the A38 to get as many improvements as are necessary especially in this section between Trerulefoot and Saltash."

The Conservative MP was due to meet with representatives from Highways England to discuss the matter last year.

She added: "I will continue to work with the Government to push for these important improvements to the A38 both for our economy and for the safety of the road users."